A 71-year-old Utah man says United Airlines failed to properly accommodate his need for supplemental oxygen during a flight, leaving him without a functioning portable oxygen concentrator after its battery ran out. Jaime Jesus Carvajal told FOX 13 News out of Salt Lake City, Utah, that he had informed United of his medical equipment before traveling and was assured that he would be able to use it during the journey.
Carvajal says the problem began about two hours into a flight from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). His oxygen concentrator lost power, and he says a flight attendant moved him from his seat to another location in an attempt to connect the device to an outlet. According to Carvajal, the connection did not provide usable power, leaving him without the oxygen he needed. United ultimately offered him a $150 flight credit after he complained.
Oxygen Equipment Became Unusable During Flight
Carvajal told FOX 13 that he uses a breathing device because of chronic obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive asthma. He said he requires oxygen day and night and had the necessary documentation with him when he traveled. According to his account, he discussed the equipment with both a check-in agent and members of the cabin crew. He said they told him his arrangements were acceptable before boarding.
The difficulty emerged after departure. Carvajal said his device’s battery ran out approximately two hours into the flight. He was seated in 37F and asked a flight attendant for assistance. The crew member moved him to seat 6C, where Carvajal expected to connect his concentrator to a power outlet. He said the connection worked only briefly before the device shut down again.
United’s published guidance states that passengers traveling with an approved portable oxygen concentrator must bring enough batteries to power the device for 150% of the planned flight time, including connections. The airline also publishes a list of approved equipment and requirements for passengers using portable oxygen concentrators.
“In order to use your POC on your flight you must bring a completed and printed copy of the portable oxygen concentrator form.”
The oxygen problem did not end when Carvajal left the aircraft. He ultimately continued his journey to Panama, where he says another airline accommodated his oxygen needs. Carvajal’s attorney, David Head, said the situation could have been prevented and argued that United had multiple opportunities to address the passenger’s needs. Head told FOX 13 that he plans to file a lawsuit against the airline. The allegations have not been established in court. Carvajal’s account describes what occurred during the flight, while any future legal proceedings would determine the extent of responsibility and damages.
The case nevertheless highlights the importance of advanced preparation when passengers depend on electrically powered medical equipment. A portable concentrator may be permitted aboard an aircraft, but its operation depends on the equipment meeting airline requirements and the passenger having sufficient battery capacity.
The passenger had already informed the carrier’s ticket agents and the TSA about her medical device.
Carvajal said he contacted United after the incident seeking an explanation and compensation. According to FOX 13, the airline’s claims division offered him a $150 flight credit. His attorney said he was surprised by what he viewed as a limited response, given the circumstances his client described. The dispute could now develop into a longer legal process. Head estimated that a lawsuit could take two to three years to resolve, meaning the allegations may remain contested for an extended period.
For United, the issue extends beyond the value of the travel credit. The airline’s own accessibility guidance makes clear that passengers using portable oxygen concentrators have specific requirements to meet, including carrying sufficient battery power. Carvajal’s complaint instead centers on what happened after the device stopped working and whether the assistance he received was adequate under the circumstances. That distinction will likely be central if litigation follows.
For travelers dependent on medical equipment, the episode also reinforces the difference between being permitted to bring a device aboard and having a guaranteed power source throughout a journey. Carvajal says he believed his arrangements had been confirmed before departure. The disagreement now centers on what happened when those arrangements failed in flight.
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